What's Going On With the Databases?!

As I'm sure you notice sometimes when you log onto Facebook, let alone even on Google, sometimes the interface in front of you has changed, and sometimes even the NAMES of the databases have changed. These days, these changes seem to happen overnight that even us librarians are not prepared!

Given that, here are the updates of what's going on with our databases since January of this year:

1. Project MUSE is no longer a subscription database at Chabot due to budget cuts.

2. In the Spring, with small monies, we were able to get the Arts and Sciences II version of JSTOR. It is a TINIER and more SUBJECT LIMITED version of MUSE, let alone all of JSTOR as well as more of a NON-CURRENT database (there is an embargo of five years on most titles, meaning the newest issue will most often be at least five years old). This database focuses primarily in the fields of Political Science, Anthropology, Family Studies, Classical Studies, and History. For more information, look at the title list.

3. The Library began purchasing/owning E-books which are accessed through the new Gale Virtual Reference Library platform.

4. EBSCOhost has changed its interface. When you use our tutorials on EBSCOhost, some information is now out of date, but not so radically different. It's mainly the search results page where all information to limit your search, whether it be to peer-reviewed or by subject, will now all be on the LEFT side.

5. JSTOR has changed its interface. You need to UN-CHECK the lower selection that says "Include Links to External Content" as most of that content is currently NOT free.

6. Pop Culture Universe has been bought by another company and we now have two database products. At present, the one with more detail is the E-Books database called Pop Culture E-Books. The new Pop Culture Universe should mainly be used for quick reference check-ups, news, or decades information.

7. The Gale vendor is currently in the process of replacing its "Resource Center" products with the new "In Context" products. Biography Resource Center is now Biography In Context with a brand new interface. We expect Literature Resource Center to eventually have the name change and similar interface changes as well, but we do not know when.

8. LexisNexis Academic's new interface is now the official interface. To learn more on how to use it, check out the YouTube instructional tutorials.

If you need help sorting all of this out, please contact a librarian. Even if we have just been faced with a sudden change, we are very adaptable and can quickly help you figure out any of the new quirks of the new databases. You can see us at the LEFT side of the main desk, chat with us below, or call us at 510-723-7006. Happy searching!

JavaScript disabled or chat unavailable.

Chat is offline.